Torque wrench for use with golf club

ABSTRACT

A torque wrench for a golf club includes a body and a handle. The body has a notch formed therein with an interface for engaging a geometrically-shaped head of a mechanical fastener. The handle includes a free end and an attached end, the latter of which is pivotably connected to the body by a hinge. The handle is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. When the handle is in the stowed position, the free end of the handle abuts the body and the torque wrench has a generally disc-like shape.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to pending U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/915,799, filed on May 3, 2007.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a torque wrench, and more particularlyto a compact torque wrench for use with a golf club.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to improve their game, golfers often customize their equipmentto fit their particular swing. Golf equipment manufacturers haveresponded by increasing the variety of clubs available to golfers. Forexample, a particular model of a driver-type golf club may be offered inseveral different loft angles and lie angles to suit a particulargolfer's needs. In addition, golfers can choose shafts, whether metal orgraphite, and adjust the length of the shaft to suit their swing. Golfclubs that allow shaft and club head components to be easilyinterchanged facilitate this customization process.

One example is Wheeler, U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,646 for a Golf ClubAssembly. The Wheeler patent discloses a putter having a grip and aputter head, both of which are detachable from a shaft. Fasteningmembers, provided on the upper and lower ends of the shaft, haveinternal threads, which engage the external threads provided on both thelower end of the grip and the upper end of the putter head shank tosecure these components to the shaft. The lower portion of the shaftfurther includes a flange, which contacts the upper end of the putterhead shank, when the putter head is coupled to the shaft.

Two further examples are published applications to Burrows, U.S. Pub.Nos. 2004/0018886 and 2004/0018887, both of which are for a TemporaryGolf Club Shaft-Component Connection. The Burrows applications disclosea temporary connection that includes an adapter insert, a socket member,and a mechanical fastener. The adapter insert, which is mounted on ashaft, includes a thrust flange. The socket member, which is mounted onthe other golf club component (e.g., a club head), includes a thrustseat for seated reception of the thrust flange. The mechanical fastener(e.g., a compression nut or a lock bolt) removably interconnects theadapter insert and the socket member.

Still other examples include Cackett et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,529,and Evans, U.S. Pat. No. 7,115,046, both of which are assigned to theassignee of the present invention and hereby incorporated by referencein their entireties. The Cackeft et al. and Evans patents disclosevarious interchangeable golf club head and shaft connections thatutilize a mechanical fastener, such as a screw or bolt, to secure ashaft to a golf club head.

Many of the above-mentioned references require a tool, such as a socketwrench or screwdriver, to tighten the mechanical fastener and secure theshaft to the golf club head. Ideally, the mechanical fastener istightened to a specific amount to prevent the shaft from accidentallydetaching from the golf club head. There is a need, therefore, for atorque wrench with a predetermined or selectively variable torqueapplied onto a shank by a spring biasing member and/or a sphericalcoupling member that can create an audible indication to the operator ofwhen the predetermined or selectively variable torque is applied. It isdesirable that the torque wrench be compact for placement on a golffitting cart or in golf bag.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a compact torque wrench for use with agolf club. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a torquewrench includes a body and a handle. The body has a notch formed thereinwith an interface for engaging a head of a mechanical fastener. Themechanical fastener may have a hex-shaped, or any othergeometrically-shaped, head. The handle includes a free end and anattached end, the latter of which is pivotably connected to the body bya hinge. The handle is movable between a stowed position and a deployedposition. When the handle is in the stowed position, the free end of thehandle abuts the body and the torque wrench has a generally disc-likeshape.

Having briefly described the present invention, the above and furtherobjects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by thoseskilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description ofthe invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a torque wrench in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the torque wrench of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a torque wrench is generally designated 10.Torque wrench 10 includes a body 12 and a handle 14. Body 12 has a notch16 formed therein. Notch 16 includes an interface 18 for engaging a headof a mechanical fastener. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,the mechanical fastener has a hex-shaped head. One of ordinary skill inthe art, however, will appreciate that the mechanical fastener head mayhave any suitable geometric shape, to which interface 18 of notch 16provides a corresponding counterpart. Body 12 is preferably composed ofa metal material, but may also be composed of an injection moldedmaterial.

Handle 14 is pivotally connected to body 12. Handle 14 includes a freeend 20 and an attached end 22. Attached end 22 of handle 14 is pivotallyconnected to body 12 by a hinge 24. Handle 14 is movable between astowed position, which is shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, and a deployedposition, which is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1.

Hinge 24 includes a clutch to limit the torque applied to by torquewrench 10 to a mechanical fastener. In addition, torque wrench 10includes a coil spring (not shown). The coil spring is provided abouthinge 14 and biases handle 14 to the stowed position.

When handle 14 is in the stowed position, free end 20 of handle 14 abutsbody 12, giving torque wrench 10 a generally disc-like shape. Torquewrench 10 is compact in its stowed position and may be easily totedaround in a golf bag or a golf fitting cart.

To operate torque wrench 10, a user would place notch 16 of body 12about the head of a mechanical fastener. The user then grasps handle 14and rotates free end 20 of handle 14 away from body 12 to the deployedposition. With handle 14 in the deployed position, the user could applya force on handle 14 to tighten the mechanical fastener. Torque wrench10 may produce an audible indication to notify the user of when anappropriate amount of torque has been applied to the mechanicalfastener.

From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinentart will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention andwill readily understand that while the present invention has beendescribed in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and otherembodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes,modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which isintended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in thefollowing appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the inventionin which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined inthe following appended claims.

1. A torque wrench comprising: a body having a notch formed therein, thenotch having an interface for engaging a geometrically-shaped head of amechanical fastener; and a handle having a free end and an attached end,the attached end of the handle being pivotably connected to the body bya hinge, the handle being movable between a stowed position and adeployed position, wherein when the handle is in the stowed position,the free end of the handle abuts the body and the torque wrench has agenerally disc-like shape.
 2. The torque wrench according to claim 1,wherein the hinge includes a clutch to limit a torque applied to themechanical fastener.
 3. The torque wrench according to claim 1, whereinthe handle is biased in the stowed position.
 4. The torque wrenchaccording to claim 3, further comprising a coil spring disposed aboutthe hinge, the coil spring biasing the handle to the stowed position. 5.The torque wrench according to claim 1, wherein the body and the handleare comprised of a metal material.
 6. The torque wrench according toclaim 1, wherein the body and the handle are comprised of an injectionmolded material.
 7. The torque wrench according to claim 1, wherein thenotch is generally hex-shaped and adapted to engage a hex-shaped head ofthe mechanical fastener.